Indexing turntable



May 20, 1958 G, A. CROSBY 2,835,194

INDEXING TURNTABLE Filed July 1. 195s e sheets-sheet 1 G. A. CROSBY .INDEXING TURNTABLE May 2o, 195s Filed July 1. 195s 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 NMA:

May 20, 1958 G. A. CROSBY INDEXING TURNTABLE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 1. 1953 ad f.

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May 20, 1958 G. A. CROSBY INDEXING TURNTABLE 6 SheQts-Sheet 4 Filed July 1. 1953 May 20, 1958 G. A. CROSBY 2,835,194

INDEXING TURNTABLE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 May 20, 1958 G. A. CROSBY INDEXING TURNTABLE Filed July 1. 1953 United States Patent O INDEXlNG TURNTABLE George A. Crosby, Park Ridge, lll., assigner to Signode Steel strapping Company, Chicago, lil., a corporation of Delaware Application July 1, 1953, Seria! No. 365,387 8 Claims. (Cl. 1mi- 12) The present invention relates to an indexing turntable, and particularly to a machine for handling coils of loose material such as wire, tubing, or the like, for binding into a compact, readily handled bundle. Coiled wire, tubing, and the like, are diiicult `to handie for shipping and storage unless properly `restrained against unwinding or loosening. it is customary, therefore, to provide some binding around the annulus `at circumferentially spaced points, the number of such bindings depending upon the .character of the coiled material. The previously mentioned diliiculties of handling loose coils of wire, tubing, and the like, make the application of the restraining binder a diiiicult operation.

The apparatus of the present invention has for its primary purpose the handling, positioning, turning, and compressing of a loose coil of wire, tubing, and the like, so that the coil is properly located relative to an automatic binding or strapping machine for the application of a tensioned binder strap about the coil annulus. Once the coil has been delivered to the machine forming the subject matter of this invention, the operations are completely automatic, and the coil handling apparatus has its operating cycles integrated with those of the binder applying machine. There is, therefore, no need for manually handling or manipulating the coil during the` entire operation, which is substantially faster and more efficient than any loperation heretofore known.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel machine for handling coils of loose material, such as wire, tubing, and the like, for binding at spaced circumferential points.

Another object is to provide a novel machine incorporating improved means `for rotating a coil of loose material and positioning it properly for a binding operation.

Another object is to provide a novel indexing mechanism which is extremely accurate in moving an object between stationary positions.

A further object is to provide a novel indexing mechanism of the rotatable type, wherein the driving means is disconnected from the rotatable indexed part when 4the angular velocity of the latter is zero.

A further object is to provide a novel indexing turntable for handling coils of loose material for binding by an automatic binding or strapping machine, wherein the operating cycles of the indexing turntable may be integrated with the operating cycles of the binding or strapping machine.

Another object is to provide `a novel coil .handling indexing turntable which requires no manual manipulation of the coil and is completely automatic in its entire operation.

Another object is to provide a machine for handling loose coils of wire, tubing, and the like, which is rapid and accurate in its moving of the coils.

Other objects and advantages will lbecome apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein fciated Fig. l is an elevational view of the indexing turntable forming the Vsubject matter of this invention, looking at the machine from the feed in side, with some `parts broken away for illustrative purposes, and showing an automatic strapping machine in phantom lines;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine, with .some parts broken away or omitted, so that the table surface may be clearly shown, and other parts broken. into `section `to illustrate construction;

Fig. 3 is a greatly enlarged view of the table drive with the indexing portion thereof in medial vertical secnon;

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the table drive, looking at the drive from the left side of Fig. 3

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail View, partly broken into section, of the table turning disc and associated dog, and may be considered as taken along the line S-S-of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional View of the table mounting and bearing;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail View showing `the detent .for holding the table in stopped position, and its assoswitch operating means; and

Figs. `8 to 13 are` plan views of alportion of the table drive, showing its successive positions during-an operating cycle. i

General description A brief description of the operation of this apparatus and the associated automatic strapping machine, with particular attention to Figs. l, 2, and 3, will help illustrate its functions and utility. The strapping machine `referred to herein, and schematically illustrated in the drawings, preferably is of the type forming the subject matter of the copending application of John H. Leslie II and George A. Crosby, Serial No. 134,526, led December 22, 1949, for An Automatic strapping Machine, now Patent No. 2,707,430. i

`A loose coil of wire, tubing, or the like, is -fed from some conveying means (not shown) to the inlet side of the apparatus 20 forming the subject matter of this invention-` The inlet side of `the machine is that yshown in elevation i-n Fig. l, and is at the bottom of Fig. v2, thearrows in Fig. 2 indicating the direction lof coil movement. The loose coil is pushed from the conveyor onto a turntable A rotatably supported in a frame B. When the coil has been slidlonto the turntable, the attending operator pushes a button on a control panel to close the start switch in an electrical `control circuit (not shown), thereby initiating operation of the combined apparatus of the indexing turntable machine and the 'automatic strapping machine. The turntable operation may be electrically sequenced with the conveyor means so as to form a part of a conveyor cycle, in which case :the start switch Energization of this electric circuit actuates a coil positioning and pressing means C which pushes the `coil to the left (Fig. `2) and against a stop means D to center itin front of the strapping head of an automatic strapping machine E. At the same `time the means C presses the coil down on the turntable A to condition it for the strapping operation.

Simultaneously with the positioning of the coil, the strapping machine E, since its control circuit is Aintegrated and interlocked with that of the indexing turntable machine 20, swings a movable strap guiding track lF to the position shown in Fig. l. When the strap guideF has almost reached the turntable A, it closes a switch in a circuit which starts the strap feeding motor in the automatic strapping machine E, which then sends the binder strap through the closed track F in a loop Ythrough is closed by a means actuated when `the i Acoil is pushed onto the turntable.

'angular distance is measured by the number of loops of binder to be fastened around the annulus of the coil.

The coil is thus turned from its position in front of the strapping machine E. As the table stops, the coil positioning `and pressing means C is again operated to sweep and center the coil against the stop means D and to press it down on the table top for the next binding operation.

The binding cycles of the strapping machine E and the turning operations of the turntable machine 2t) are relpeated until the desired number of loops are bound about the annulus of wire or tubing.

After the predetermined number of bands has been applied to the coil of material so as to hold it in a compac-t and'easily handled bundle, the coil positioning and pressing means C is retracted and the table indexed once more and comes to rest. The movable section of the 'strap guide F is swung upwardly `and away from the 'turntable and-coil, and the strapping machine E comes to rest. Then another coily of loose material is slid onto the top of the turntable A, and this new coil pushes the bound `coil off the turntable A onto a constantly rotating roller H driven in such direction that the bound coil is ,taken from `the turntable A onto a second conveyor, or

to some other means (not shown) for handling the bound bundle of material. If the start switch is closed, the previously described cycle begins again and applies the same predetermined number of bands to the new coil.

Frame and turntable support The frame B of the indexing turntable machine has a main top table plate 22 supported from a base 23 on a pair of parallel upright plates 24 which also provide a housing below the top plate 22 for at least a portion of the operating mechanism such as the indexing drive G. The frame also includes supporting legs 25, 26, and 27, extending between the base plate 23 and table top 22. The plates `24 are interconnected at their inner ends by a cross bar 28 and additional supporting plates 30 are also provided to support the weight of the stationary table 22, the mechanism mounted thereon, and the rotatable turntable A. The table top plate 22 is formed with a circular opening 32 to accommodate a circular rotatable turntable plate 34. j l

The upper surface of theturntable plate 34 is flat and substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the stationary table top 22. A hub 36 (Fig. 6) secured by bolts 37 to the underside of the turntable plate 34, has a tapered socket 39 to receive the upper tapered end of a turntable shaft 3S. The turntable shaft 38 is nonrotatably secured in the hub by a conventional key 40. The plate 34 is provided with a central tapped hole 42 removably to receive an eye bolt by means of which the turntable assembly may be lifted out of and lowered into the frame B, and the upper end of the shaft 38 is similarly tapped at 44 removably to receive a smaller eye bolt .by means of which the heavy shaft 38 may be removed.

The turntable shaft 38 and turntable plate 34 are supported in an adjustable bearing mount 46 which is carried on a transverse bar 48 secured between the plates 24 and to the plate 28. A sleeve 50, having a cylindrical bore 52, is welded in an opening 49 cut in the transverse member 48 and receives a thrust bearing assembly 54 of conventional construction. The inner race of the bear-- in g 54is abutted against split rings 56 carried in a groove plates 58 in the shaft 38 and retained by a collar 60 slipped onto the shaft 38. The outer race bears against an adjustable retaining sleeve 62 of cylindrical configuration having its upper end fitted within the sleeve 50. At its,lower end the sleeve 62 is provided with a lateral flange 64 formed with a plurality of equidistantly circumferentially spaced openings 66 through which project studs 68, the inner ends 70 of which are threaded into the stationary sleeve 50. The lower outer threaded ends 72 of the studs project through the openings 66 and receive nuts 74 which may be selectively tightened to draw the sleeve 62 against the bearing 54, properly to align the table 34 and insure that it is coplanar with the table top 22. Adjacent its outer edge the table plate 34 is additionally supported on a plurality of rollers 75 riding against the under side of the plate and carried on journals mounted on fixed portions of the frame B, such as the plates 24. For reasons which will appear hereinafter, the rollers 75 are cir cumferentially spaced other than equidistantly.

Adjacent its lower end the shaft 38 projects through a plate 76 which is mounted upon a pair of rails 78 carried on the inside faces of the vertical supporting plates 24. The plate 76 serves as a dust cover for the indexing mechanism, and the shaft, where it projects through the plate, is fitted with a pair of collars 80, fixed thereto in The turntable drive G is powered by an electric motor 82 supported on the frame base 23 by a pedestal 84. Motor shaft 86. is connected through a suitable and conventional coupling 88 to a gear reduction set 90 which is mounted on a plate 91 secured to the base 23 so that the position of the gear set can be accurately adjusted. The motor 82 is provided with a conventional band brake 92 to limit overrunning or coasting of the motor when the electric power is shut off, and the proper adjustment of the brake is obtained by a conventional brake adjustment means 93 carried on a bracket 94 secured to cross member 95 extending between and secured to the support plates 24.

The gear reduction box 90 has a vertically projecting output shaft 96 arranged substantially parallel to the turntable shaft 38. The shafts 96 and 38 are maintained in proper position relative to each other by a connecting bracket 98 comprising a pair of plates 100 and 102. The plate 100 is suitably apertured and fitted with a bearing 104 and the plate 102 is apertured at 106.

The aperture 106 in the plate 102 receives hub 108 of a peripherallynotched, generally circular disc 110, which is secured to the shaft 38 by a key 112. The lower end of the shaft projects through and is guided in a ball beara cross member extending between and welded to the side 24 and on which the bracket 98 rests.

The plate or disc 110 is formed with a plurality of generally rectangular peripheral notches 116, the notches being slightly offset in the clockwise direction from lying athwart a diameter of the disc 110. In the particular apparatus shown, there are three rectangular notches 116, but this is intended merely to be illustrative as there may be any number of such notches in accordance with the amount of rotation which is to be imparted to the turntable with each indexing step of the apparatus, and of course the number of bands to be secured about the coil of Wire, tubing, or the like. The edge of the disc 110 is cut away at 118 on a line perpendicular to the rear side of each notch 116 to facilitate engagement of a dog block 120 therein.

The dog block 120 is carried on a mounting pin 122 secured in one end of a turntable dog 124. The dog 124 is pivotally mounted [by means of a pin 126 in the bifur.

wise direction (Figs. 5 and 8 to 13)-i-.the'dog is disengaged from the notched disc 110, and therefore moves relative thereto. ln the opposite direction of its movement, namely, the clockwise direction, the dog block 120 is engaged in one of the notches 116` and rotates the notched plate 110 in the clockwise direction a distance of 120 (in the particular embodiment illustrated), or any predetermined distance which isequal to `360" divided by the number of notches 116.

The dog 124 occupies one of two positions relative to the notched disc 110. lt is either in engagement with the disc or it is disengaged therefrom. In order to maintain the dog in either of these two positions, it is provided with a detent 132 comprising a hollow `plunger 134 slidable in a bore 136 in the dog 124 and biased outwardlytherefrom by a spring 138 acting between the closed end of the hollow plunger 134 and a bronze bearing sleeve -140 encircling the pin 126 where it passes through the dog 124. The closed end of the plunger 134 is engageable with a pair of angularly offset faces 142, 144 on the hub 146 of the arm 130 and facing outwardly between the bifurcated arms 128. The high `point or crown between the surfaces 142, 144 provides an overdead center position for the detent 132 to hold the dog in either its engaged or disengaged position. As seen from Figs. 5 and 10 to 12, when the dog block 120 is engaged in one of the notches 116, the detent 132 bears against the surface 142. When the dog block 120 has been disengaged from a notch 116, the detent 132 bears against the surface 144, as shown in Figs. 8 and 13.

The dog block 120 is moved into one of the notches 116 at the end of the counterclockwise travel of the dog 124 by the contacting of a dog stop surface or face 148 on projecting end 150 of the dog 124 against a trip mechanism 152. The dog trip mechanism 152 includes an arm 154 pivotally mounted at 156 to a rail 155 extending between the upright plates 24 at the inner ends thereof. The upper end of the lever or arm 154 is pivotally mounted by a pin 157 in the forked end 158 of a rod or plunger 160, the opposite end of which slidably projects through a lug 162 carried on a bracket 164 mounted on the rail 155. A spring 166, confined between the lug 162 and the forked plunger end 158, biases the plunger 160 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 4, or upwardly as viewed in Figs. 8 to 13. A stop nut 168 screwed onto the threaded outer end of the rod 160 limits the amount of this movement and also provides a means of adjusting the dog trip mechanism 152 so that proper pressuremay be put on the dog to engage the latter in a notch 116 of the disc 110. The tripping of the dog 124 is, of course, accompanied by `a slight compression of the spring 166, asmay be seen from Figs. 8, 9, and 10, Fig. 8 showing the dog stop surface 148 as it approaches the upper end ofthe arm 154, Fig. 9 showing the initial contact between the face 148 and the arm 154, and Fig. l0 showing the tripping completed with the dog block-120 engaged in one of the notches 116.

The arm 130 is oscillated by a connecting rod` or link 17) which has one end pivotallyjconnected to the arm 130 by the pin 126, and its opposite end pivotally connected by pin 172 to a crank arm 174 driven in the clockwise direction by the shaft 96. The link `1701s cut away at 176, and the hub 146 of the oscillatable arm 130 is similarly cut away at 178 so that at the end of the counterclockwise movement of the dog 124 (Figs. `9 and l0) these two do not contact.

The head of the pin 172 is carried in a block 180 secured by bolts 182 to one end of the crank arm 174. The crank arm 174 is formed with a hub 184 pressed into the inner race of the ball bearing 104, and the crank and hub are keyed to the output shaft 96 of the gear reduction drive 90 by a conventional key 186. The end of the crank 174 opposite the pin 172 is extended at 188, and a dog 'tripping block 190 is secured by a pairofbolts 192 tothe extension 188. The dog tripping block 190 is positioned to engage a shoulder 194 on the extension 150 (Figs. 12 and 13) to cause disengagement of the dog block 120 from a notch 116 when the dog 124 has been moved the extent of its oscillation in the clockwise direction. The engagement of the dog tripping block 190 with the shoulder 194 causes a shift in the restraining detent 132 over the crown between the surfaces 142 and 144 so that when the dog has been released from the notched disc 110 the crank 174 and connecting rod 170 are enabled to oscillate the dog 124 and arm 130 in the counterclockwise direction to cause the dog block 120 to engage in the next adjacent notch 116 in the disc 110 for a subsequent indexing operation.

lt should be noted that the weight of the coil has no effect on the extent of the angular motion of the turntable A because the angular velocity of the table is Zero when the dog 124 is disengaged from and releases the indexing disc 110. The indexing is, therefore, extremely accurate.

The connecting rod 170 is provided at its end adjacent the pin 172 with a switch actuating member 198 adapted to engage and momentarily trip a normally closed switch 2110 mounted on the bracket 95 extending between the walls 24 of the frame B. The switch 200 is in the motor control circuit, and `when so tripped by the member 198,

`this circuit is opened to stop the motor 82, the brake 92 limiting the amount of coast permitted. In order to minimize the indexing time the motor 82 is permitted to coast sufficiently to move the drive elements a substantial part `of the idle half of their movement and to about the position shown in Fig. 8. Thus, when the motor 82 is started there is a minimum of lost time before the dog 124 engages the indexing disc 110.

When the predetermined number of restraining bands or straps have been applied to the coil, the turntable is indexed once again, `moving the bound coil away from the strapping machine E. A complete turntable cycle thus includes rotating the turntable A 360. On this last angular movement a cam 197 mounted on the lower face of the turntable `plate 34 momentarily trips a switch 199 mounted on a bracket 201 which is welded to the transverse member 48. Opening the normally closed switch 199 breaks the main circuit to the turntable machine 20, and itwill remain deenergized until the start switch (not shown) is closed.

The turntable Referring to Figs. 2 and 7, it will be observed that the turntable plate 34isformed with a plurality of slots 202 (shown in this embodiment to bethree) which are spaced equidistantly around the plate, the slots .202 extending radially of the disc 34 but not projecting inwardly as far as the hub 36. These slots 202 provide clear passageway through which the binder strap may be sent by the automatic binding or strapping machine E through the strap guide, the movable portion F of which is extendable over the surface of the turntable`34 and a. iixed portion of which lies beneath the turntable 34 and between a pair of plates 204 projecting outwardly toward the machine l from the frame member 2S. As noted previously, the turntable plate .'14 is partially supported by a set of rollers 75, and these rollers are suiiiciently to span the slots 21.12 or to impede its full movement.

The positions of the slots 202 and the notches 116 in the indexing disc are so related that when the dog block is released `from a notch 116, one of the slots 202 is positioned immediately opposite and aligned with the strapping head of the machine E and with the strap guide F.

A roller detent 206 is adapted to engage from the lower side of the plate 34 in one of the two slots 202 not opposite the strapping machine E properly to steady the plate 34 and to resist its accidental turning during the strapping operation. The roller detent 206 includes a bracket 208 xed to the plate 24 and having a pair of bearings 210 at its upper end to receive a shaft 212 on which an arm 214 is pivoted. A roller 216 is mounted at the outer end of the arm 214 and is adapted removably to engage in a slot 202 from the underside of the turntable plate 34. The roller 216 is biased toward the underside of the turntable plate by a spring 218 acting between the bracket 208 and a depending arm 220 welded to the arm 214 at substantially right angles thereto.

The arm 220 also actuates a switch 222 having a trip lever 224. The switch 222 is normally held open and is in a safety circuit of the automatic strapping machine E and control circuit for the centering and pressing means C. Itis biased to closed position and when the arm 220 is moved in the counterclockwise direction (Fig. 7 by the spring 218, the switch lever 224- follows the arm 220 and closes the switch to condition the control circuit of indexing drive G to the next position at the conclusion of the strapping operation.

The coil positioning and compressing means The means C for lcentering a coil of tubing, wire, or

`the like, directly in front of the strapping machine E and against the stop means D, is shown in Figs. l and 2, and is enclosed within a housing 226 including a top wall 228, side walls 230, and rear Wall 232. The housing is lclosed by a front wall 234, and all of these walls are welded together and form a rigid structure which is in turn welded to an extension 236 of the stationary table top 22. Access to the housing is provided through an opening in the top wall 228 normally closed by a removable cover 238. The side walls 230 and front wall 254 are cut away at 240 to provide angular corner openings to accommodate outwardly extending swingable sweep arms 242. The arms 242 are journaled on pins 244 carried in bearings 246 within the housing 226. At their outer ends the arms 242 are tted with diagonal coil contacting plates 248 which are so arranged as to engage and slide on the circumferential edge of the coil as the arms 242 push it into position against the stop means D in front of the strapping machine E.

rlhe sweep arms 242 are oscillated between retracted position (Fig. 2) and advanced position over the turntable plate 34, by a power cylinder 250 iixed within the housing 226 and connected at 254 and 256 to a source of pneumatic or hydraulic pressure fluid, as the case may be. Piston 252, reciprocable within the cylinder 250, is secured to a piston rod 258 which projects from the cylinder 258 and is secured to a U-shaped bearing block 260 guided for reciprocable movement by ways 261L y'mounted within the housing 226. Two sets of links 264 are pivotally connected by a pin 262 to the block 260 and by pivot pins 268 to blocks or plates 266 at the inner ends of the sweep arms 242 adjacent the pivot pins 244.

When pressure fluid is admitted through the connection 256 to the cylinder 250, the piston 252 is moved to the left (Figs. l and 2), drawing the reciprocable block 260 and pivot pin 262 inwardly toward the cylinder 250. The links 264 are pushed toward the turntable, and since the pivots 244 are fixed, the sweep arms 242 are pivoted inwardly toward the turntable 34, sweeping the coil of tubing or wire toward the stop means D at the opposite side ot the turntable. These arms remain in this position until the strapping operation has been completed, at which time the pressure is vented at the connection 256 and is admitted to the cylinder through the connection 254, thereby moving the piston 252 and piston rod 258 outwardly to restore the arms 242 to the position shown in Fig. 2, for a subsequent positioning operation.

Frequently, the material of which the wire or tubing is made is ofpsuch character that some of the coil turns project substantially away from the main body of the coil. Also, it has been found that some coils fan upwardly opposite the turns at which the rst restraining binder has been applied. To overcome these and similar conditions7 a presser bar 270 is brought down on top of the coil to one side of the turntable slot 202 and the movable track portion F of the strapping machine. The presser'bar 270 is pivotally mounted on a pin 272 carried in the outer ends ot a pair of spaced, parallel arms 274 which have their inner ends welded to a tube 276 positioned between a pair of plates 278 welded to the top plate 228 of the housing 226. One ofthe plates 278 has a portion 280 projecting over the turntable 34 and formed with a hole 282 at its outer end by means of which the entire machine 20 may be lifted by a crane vor the like for movement and placement in the position desired in a factory or shop. The arms 274, in addition to being welded to the tube 276, are interconnected by a plate 284 throughout a greater portion of their lengths, and the assembly of the arms 274, tube 276, and plate 284, is pivoted between the plates 278 on a pin or axle 286 journaled in the plates 278 at the upper outer corners thereof.

The presser bar 270 is moved downwardly by motive power furnished from a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 288 having connections 290 and 292 to the source of hydraulic or pneumatic power for operation of the cylinders 250 and 288. A piston 294 is reciprocable in the cylinder 288 and is secured to a piston rod 296 which has its outer end pivotally connected to a tubular member 298 welded to a pair of links 300 which are also welded to the tubular member 276. Thereforepwhen the piston 294 is moved outwardly (to the right, Fig. l) in the cylinder 288, the piston rod 296 pushes the tubular mem` ber 298 outwardly, pivoting the links 300 about the pivot pin 286 and moving the arms 274 and presser bar 270 downwardly toward the table 34. The cylinder 288 is pivotally mounted at 301 to a bracket 303 secured to the top of the housing 226 so as to prevent binding of the piston rod 296 as it is moved outwardly. Venting the connection 290 and applying pressure through the connection 292 restores the presser bar 270 to the position shown in Fig. 1.

The weight of the presser bar 270 and arms 274 is counterbalanced by a pair of springs 302 arranged at the sides of the cylinder 288. Each spring 382 is confined between a stop 304 and an adjustable nut 306 on a rod 308 secured to the tubular member 2978 and slidably projecting through the stop 384. The lowering of the presser bar 270 compresses the springs 302, and they assist in restoring the presser bar to its raised position. The springs 302 are suiciently heavy to retard slightly the downward movement of theXpresser bar 270 until the faster acting sweep arms 242 have centered the coil. And at the end of the binding operation they add their power to that of the cylinder 288 quickly to lift the presser bar 270 so that the latter does not bear against the coil during an indexing movement of the turntable A. When the machine is idle the springs 382 counterbalance the weight of the bar 270 and arms 274 to hold the presser bar 270 clear of the turntable 34.

The stop means D, against which the coil of tubing or wire is pushed by the sweep arms 242, comprise a pair of stop members or plates 310 and 312 removably and slidably mounted on a pair of vertical posts 314 and 316 welded to the outer ends of the frame plates 204 and the inner ends of wall plates 320 and 330. The plate 310 is nonrotatably mounted on the post 314 and has a llange 318 bearing against the outer face of the opstanding wall 320 welded to the top'edge of the frame adjacent the inlet side of the machine. 1t has a second flange 322 projecting toward the center line of the turntable 34 to terminate in the plane of the near edge of the slot 202 when the table 34 is positioned for a strapping operation. The stop member 312 is permitted a slight amount of 9 pivotal movement on the post 316 and has a thin iiange 324 through which a bolt 326 screwed to the frame B projects to carry a biasing spring 328, urging the flange 324 against the upstanding -wall 330 welded to the top of the frame B along that side of the table adjacent the outlet. The member 312 is shown in dotted lines in its biased position andin full lines in that position which itoccupies when the strapping machine E has moved forwardly. yA flange 332 projects inwardly toward the tiange 322 of the stop member 310 and the gap between the in- `ner ends of these two iianges is at least equal to the width of the slot 202 to pass the strap from the machine E.

The flanges 322 and 332 have concave faces directed toward the turntable plate 34 and the coil, and when the strapping machineE is moved into strapping position and the coil of wire or tubing has been swept against the stop means D, the coil bears against the concave faces of the lianges. The flanges 322 and 332 prevent portions of, or individual convolutions of, the coil from interfering with a proper operation of the automatic strapping machine E. In addition, these concave flanges close the space, except for a strap width, between the posts 314 and 316 so that any strap or loose ends of wire or the like will not feed or engage behind the posts when the turntable is rotated.

The supply of hydraulic or pneumatic liuid under pressure to the different parts of the cylinders is under the control of valves (not shown), preferably `solenoid operated in the well known manner. The solenoid operated valves are actuated lby conventional electric circuit which includes the switch 222. Thus the closing of this switch at the termination of `a proper indexing of the turntable A sets up a rapid sequence of operations which causes the means C to center the coil and press it toward the turntable.

The coil removing roller After the requisite number of bands has been strapped about the coil, the turntable is indexed to move the coil 120 (in the specilic machine disclosed) away from the position in which the last band was applied. A new coil being pushed onto theturntable A pushes the bound coil toward the outlet side of the machine 20, where it engages the coil removing roller H which comprises a roli er 336, at least a portion of which is covered by a rubber sleeve 338 frictionally to engage the bound coil and carry it away. The roller 336 is xedly carried on an axle 344i journalled at its ends in conventional bearings342 mounted on the frame B. The axle 338 projects outwardly of one of the bearings 342 and is litted with a pulley or sprocket 344 which is driven by a belt or chain 346 from a driving pulley or sprocket 348 continuously rotated by an electric motor 350.

@parution From the foregoing description of the indexing turntable, the operation thereof is readilyunderstood to take place as follows, it-being understood that the operation of the indexing turntable machine 20 is correlatedto that of the strapping machine E.:

A coil of tubing, wire, or the like, is fed onto the stationary turntable plate 34 from a conveyor or other means which is not shown and forms no part of this invention. lAt ythis ,point` in `the operation, the coil of wire or tubing will be .generally in front of the stop means D but will not be positioned thereagainst. The operator now pushes a button vto close the start switch in the electric control circuit, or such switch is automatically closed as previously explained, which initiates operation of the machine E and valves controlling the ow of pressure tiuid to the cylinders 250 and 288 and acylinder (not shown) in the machine E which moves the track member F forward and downward.

Pressure fluid is admitted simultaneously through the connection 256 to cylinder 250' and connection 290 to the cylinder 288. The tlrst cylinder 2511 `moves the sweep arms `242 across the table toward the coil of tubing or wire, pushing it before them and against the stop mem bers 310 and 312. Simultaneously, the presser bar 278 is moved by the piston in the cylinder 288 downwardly on top of the coil, the sweep arms and presser bar con lining the coil in front of the stop members 31d and 3l?. for the strapping operation.

` When the track member F of the strapping machine E drops near to contact with the table 34, it actuates a switch (not shown) on the machine E, which causes the strapping machine to go through its complete strapping cycle which includes sending a length of strap through the track F and table slot 282 and around the coil annulus, moving the machine E a short distance toward the indexing machine 20 and against the flanges 322 and 332 of the stop members 310 and 312, tensioning the strap about the coil, forming a joint in the overlapped strap-- ping portions, cutting the bound loop of strap from the supply contained within the machine E, and retracting the machine E.

At the conclusion of the strapping operation, the sweep arms 242 and the presser bar 270 retract and the controls on machine E close a circuit to motor 82 which drives the indexing mechanism G. At this point of the cycle the indexing mechanism components occupy the position shown in Fig. 8. The motor drives the speed reduction mechanism and shaft 96 clockwise to rotate the crank 174, thereby moving the dog 124 in the counterclockwise direction about the stationary disc 118. When the dog block 120 Vof the dog 124 approaches that notch 116 in the plate at the upper side thereof, as seen in Fig. 9, the dog is tripped by the trip mechanism 152 so that the block is moved into the notch 116 (Fig. 10). Further clockwise rotation of the crank 174 draws the dog 124 and the table 34 in the clockwise direction (Fig. 11), and this rotation is continued until the dog trip block 19t) engages the abutment 194 on the projection 150 to disengage the dog block from the notch 116 in which it had been engaged. At the same time, the switch trip member 198 actuates the switch Ziltl, breaking the circuit to the electric motor 82, which ceases its 'operation with a slight amount of coast, the amount of which is controlledby the break 92 so that the crank cornes to a full stop approximately as shown in Fig. 8. t

When the turntable is properly indexed, the switch 222 will be closed, and the sweep arms 242 and presser bar 270 are again operated, the strapping machine E starts a new strapping cycle to apply another band, the Sweep arms and presser bar are retracted, and the turntable 34 indexed 120. Again the switch 222 is closed, the sweep arms and presser bar operate, and the strapping machine E applies still another band to the coil. When the required number of bands has been bound on the coil, the table 34 indexes once more and in so doing opens the cam operated switch 199 which breaks the entire electric circuit to the strapping machine E and indexing turntable machine Ztl. The strap track member F is lifted out of the coil to its rest position. The machines will not be reenergized until the operator pushes the start button or the start switch is automatically closed.

A new coil is pushed onto the turntable 34 from the conveyor. This pushes the bound coil toward and onto the continuously rotating roller 336 and particularly onto the rubber sleeve 338 which engages the bound coil and carries it away from the table.

From the foregoing description of the construction and operation of this turntable, it will be understood that the objectives which have been claimed for it at the outset are fully attained.

While a preferred embodiment of the indexing turntable constituting this invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent that numerous modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing 11 from the underlying principles of the invention. It is therefore desired, by the following claims, to include within the scope of the invention all such variations and modifications by which substantially the results of this invention may be obtained through the use of substantially the same or equivalent means.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for positioning a coil of loose material such as tubing, wire, and the like for the application of a restraining band, comprising in combination a turntable adapted to support the coil during the application of the band, means rotatably supporting said turntable, drive means connected to said turntable for moving said turntable a predetermined angular distance, and power actuated means adapted to engage the coil and slide it on the surface of said turntable to properly locate it thereon for the application of the band.

2. Apparatus for positioning a coil of loose material such as tubing, wire, and the like for the application of a restraining band, comprising in combination a turntable adapted to support the coil during the application of the band, means rotatably supporting said turntable, intermittently operable means connected to said turntable for moving said turntable a predetermined angular distance upon each operation thereof, intermittently operable and power actuated means adapted to engage the coil and slide it on the surface of said turntable to properly locate it thereon for the application of the band.

3. Apparatus for positioning a coil of loose material such as tubing, wire, and the like for the application of a restraining band, comprising in combination a turntable adapted to support the coil, said turntable having a plurality of slots formed therein and extending radially inwardly from the periphery thereof, means rotatably supporting said turntable, drive means connected to said turntable for moving said turntable a predetermined angular distance, and power actuated means adapted y,to engage the coil and slide it on the surface of said turntable to locate it thereon with the central opening in the coil overlying one of said slots so that the restraining band may be applied to the coil by passing it about the coil annulus and through said slot.

4. Apparatus for positioning a coil of loose material such as tubing, wire, and the like for the application thereto of a restraining binder, comprising in combination a rotatable turntable adapted to support the coil, said turntable having a plurality of angularly equidistantly spaced slots formed therein and extending radially inwardly from the periphery thereof, intermittently operable drive means connected to said turntable for rotating said turntable an angular distance corresponding to the angle between adjacent slots upon each operation of said drive means, said drive means including an oscillatable member engageable with said turntable in one direction of its movement and disengaged therefrom in the other direction of its movement, and means oscillating said member, power actuated means adapted to engage the coil and slide iton the surface of said turntable to locate it thereon with the central opening in the coil overlying one of said slots so that the restraining binder may be applied to the coil by passing it about the coil annulus and through said slot, and second power means operable to press the coil toward the turntable top.

5. In an apparatus for moving an article a predetermined distance including a turntable supported for rotation and adapted to support the article, the combination of a drive shaft secured to the turntable, an indexing disc iixed on' said drive shaft, said indexing disc having a plurality of equidistantly spaced peripheral notches, an oscillatable arm rotatably mounted on said drive shaft and pivotally carrying a dog selectively engageable in said notches and selectively disengageable from said notches, means oscillating said arm between the positions in which said dog is engaged in said notches and disengaged therefrom, and a dog tripping means positioned adjacent said disc momentarily to engage said dog at the end of its movement in one direction to pivot it into engagement in one of said notches.

6. In an apparatus for moving an article a predetermined distance including a turntable supported for rotation and adapted to support the article, the combination of a drive shaft secured to the turntable, an indexing disc fixed on said drive shaft, said indexing disc having a plurality of equidistantly spaced peripheral notches, an oscillatable arm rotatably mounted on said drive shaft and pivotally carrying a dog selectively engageable in said notches and selectively disengageable from said notches, crank means oscillating said arm between the positions in which said dog is engaged in said notches and disengaged therefrom, and means on said crank means engageable with said dog at the end ofthe latters movement in the disc turning direction to disengage said dog from said notches.

7. In an apparatus for moving an article a predetermined distance including a turntable supported for rotation and adapted to support the article, the combination of a drive shaft secured to the turntable, an indexing disc fixed on said drive shaft, said indexing disc having a plurality of equidistantly spaced peripheral notches, an oscillatable arm rotatably mounted on said drive shaft and pivotally carrying a dog adapted selectively to be engaged in said notches and disengaged therefrom, crank means oscillating said arm between the positions in which' said dog is engaged in said notches and disengaged therefrom, said arm and said'l dog when moved in one direction rotating relative to said disc and when moved in the opposite direction rotating said disc, said shaft, and said turntable the predetermined angular distance, a dog tripping means positioned to engage said dog at the end of its movement in said one direction Vto pivot it into engagement with one of said notches, and means on said crank means engageable with said dog at the end of the latteris movement in said other direction to disengage said dog from said notch.

8. A drive for a rotatable turntable including in combination an indexing disc fixed with respect to the turntable and rotatable therewith, said disc being formed with a plurality of notches therein, the distance between adjacent notches corresponding to the angular distance said disc is to be rotated, oscillatable means carrying a pivotally mounted dog adapted selectively to be engaged in said notches and disengaged therefrom after said disc has been rotated the indicated angular distance, means acting between said oscillatable means and said dog tending to hold the latter in either engaged or disengaged position, means including a crank and a link interconnecting said crank and said oscillatable means moving said oscillatable means between the positions in which `said dog is engaged in said notches and disengaged therefrom, a member positioned adjacent said disc momentarily to engage said dog at the end of its movement in one direction to pivot said dog into engagement with one of said notches, and a part on said crank to engage said dog at the end of its movement in the other direction to pivot said dog out of engagement with said notch.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 799,716 Cockburnv Sept. 19, 1905 1,163,815 `Evensen Dec. 14, 1915 1,189,871 Roberts July 4, 1916 1,383,331 Nordstrom July 5, 1921 1,578,232 Ferris Mar. 23, 1926 1,747,860 Davey Feb. 18, 1930 1,859,375 Tenuta May 24, 1932 2,100,004 Gibling Nov. 23, 1937 2,634,532 Englebert Apr. 14, 1953 

